Berkadia is committed to providing a safe workplace where its employees feel their contributions are valued, that they are empowered to create positive impact, and can grow their careers. As a result, Berkadia was recently selected as GlobeSt.’s Best Places to Work.
Lisa Drake, SVP Berkadia Way and Belonging, and Danielle D’Andrea, Chief People Officer, sit down to really dive into what sets Berkadia apart from industry competitors, how Berkadia practices its core values, and is constantly striving to improve the workplace experience for its employees. This is an ever-evolving effort, and the work both Lisa and Danielle continue to do day-in and day-out makes Berkadia an employer of choice and one of the best places to work in the commercial real estate industry.
Q: What makes Berkadia a great place to work? What is the culture and environment like?
Lisa: One of the things that really sets Berkadia apart as a top place to work is our culture. What’s unique about our culture is, frankly, that we’re invested in living our core values as an organization and “walking the walk.” I constantly hear from newer employees that our culture is the reason they joined Berkadia, and it stood out from other organizations they’ve worked at previously or considered joining.
Q: How does Berkadia invest in their people?
Danielle: Employees are encouraged to bring their best selves to work. Berkadia creates an environment that fosters collaboration and celebrates employees who lean into one another and actualize their professional potential. Everywhere you look, you find someone that cares about your success, is willing to provide honest advice or constructive guidance, and help you become your best self.
Berkadia offers several corporate programs and engages in partnerships that aim to help Berkadians achieve their personal and professional goals. From tuition reimbursement to health and wellness committees and charitable community initiatives, Berkadia is dedicated to the wellbeing of their employees.
Q: Describe the company’s hiring practices and efforts in relation to diversity and inclusion.
Lisa: It’s no secret that the commercial real estate industry has not historically been representative of the diverse communities we serve. At Berkadia, we truly see this is a long-term commitment to ensuring equity in opportunity and developing next generation talent that is more diverse. When it comes to growing our workforce at Berkadia, we are focused on two key areas: Identifying best-in-class talent across all demographics among people within the commercial real estate industry and attracting underrepresented individuals into the industry at large – and our organization – through our various early talent programs.
Q: Does Berkadia make a broader impact outside of the commercial real estate industry?
Danielle: Our greatest strengths are our employees and the talent they bring to the organization. Our employees, and Berkadia as a whole, are actively involved with several community-based organizations, programs and initiatives, such as CityYear and Project Destined – to name a couple. We are excited to share one of our larger philanthropic efforts as an organization: the financing of a new Disha-CHORD school in Hyderabad, India. Berkadia has been supporting the development of educational opportunities to help underserved children grow to their fullest potential through the Disha-CHORD school since 2015.
To learn more about Berkadia’s culture and diversity initiatives and why our commitment to these areas makes us one of the Best Places to Work click here.